Show Notes
This is a recorded conversation with Larkin Mercer, author of "While You Were Under," discussing advocacy, moral injury, and systemic issues in nursing for nurses and healthcare professionals. This conversation specifically covers her personal experiences as an OR nurse and challenges she faced when advocating for patient safety. Listeners will understand the systemic nature of advocacy challenges, the impact of administrative decisions on clinical practice, and the importance of self-advocacy for healthcare professionals. Mercer brings nearly 20 years of nursing experience across various specialties, including Med-Surg, ER, OB, Chemo, Discharge Planning, and OR. Have you ever felt silenced when advocating for patient safety or questioned the evolving culture in healthcare? This conversation with author Larkin Mercer offers a candid look into the systemic challenges nurses face, highlighting the crucial need for advocacy and self-preservation in a demanding environment. In this conversation, you will learn: Understanding Systemic Issues: Explore how healthcare systems often prioritize business models over patient and staff safety, leading to moral injury. Navigating HR Dynamics: Learn why Human Resources primarily serves the employer's interests and how nurses can protect themselves legally. Effective Advocacy Strategies: Gain insights into how to effectively speak up for patients and challenge non-standard practices, even when facing resistance. Recognizing Moral Injury: Differentiate between burnout and moral injury, understanding the deep personal cost of compromising ethical standards in practice. Protecting Your Professional Livelihood: Discover essential strategies for documenting concerns and identifying external resources when internal systems fail to address critical issues. Cultivating Self-Advocacy: Understand the importance of setting personal boundaries and fostering self-care to prevent professional and personal depletion in demanding roles. This discussion equips nurses with a critical lens to evaluate the environments they work in and provides practical considerations for navigating complex ethical dilemmas. Nurses become better patient advocates by understanding the systemic pressures that can compromise care, enabling them to educate patients about their rights to ask questions, seek second opinions, and trust their instincts regarding their treatment plans. This knowledge is particularly valuable when caring for patients undergoing complex surgeries, individuals in vulnerable states, or those facing difficult diagnostic journeys where clear communication and informed consent are paramount. Tune in to hear Larkin Mercer's powerful story and empower yourself with the knowledge needed to advocate effectively for both patients and yourself in today's healthcare landscape.
More from Holistic Nurse Academy Podcast
This is a recorded conversation with Janet Peacock, Licensed Massage Therapist, on Thai massage and manual lymphatic drainage for nurses and healthcare professionals. The discussion covers the ancient history and philosophy of Thai massage, its correlation with yoga, and its adaptability for diverse patient needs, including bedbound individuals and post-surgical recovery. Janet Peacock, an instructor with over 26 years of experience, shares insights from her extensive training in Thailand, where she leads a Thai government-certified 150-hour program. The conversation also explores a specific manual lymphatic drainage comfort protocol applicable in clinical settings.
This is a recorded conversation with Alexandrea Lettieri, BSN, RN, CHt, RYT-200, a certified hypnosis specialist and HypnoFertility practitioner, on integrating hypnosis with nursing care for nurses and healthcare professionals. The discussion explores how principles of Eastern and Western medicine can blend, focusing on the spiritual dimensions of health and the application of hypnotherapy in patient care. Clinicians will understand how to leverage their foundational nursing skills, such as care planning and patient assessment, within complementary modalities. Lettieri shares her journey from a Johns Hopkins float nurse and travel nurse to developing expertise in past life regression and Life Between Lives therapy, having trained with a former president of the Michael Newton Institute.
This is a recorded conversation with Sharon Lemoine, a Nurse Practitioner (NP), on integrating faith-based holistic care and entrepreneurial practice development for nurses and healthcare professionals. Lemoine, with 18 years as an RN and 7 years as an NP in emergency medicine, discusses her transition from corporate healthcare to building a successful private practice specializing in weight loss, hormone optimization, and functional medicine. The conversation covers her personal health journey with Type 1 Diabetes, surgical menopause, and thyroid disease, illustrating how these experiences inform her patient-centered approach. Clinicians will understand the value of a comprehensive, personalized healthcare model and the practical application of therapies like GLP1s, advanced hormone optimization, and peptide therapy within a holistic framework.
This is a recorded conversation with Miriam Barger, RN, on a nurse's journey of healing and growth after leaving the hospital, for nurses and healthcare professionals. Barger, with 13 years of nursing experience including frontline COVID care and international disaster response, details the emotional and professional impact of her experiences. The conversation explores the challenges of hospital administration, the importance of professional boundaries, and the transformative power of self-care. Clinicians will gain insight into the profound effects of high-stress nursing environments on personal well-being and career longevity.
This is a recorded conversation with Alexandra Brisky, a nurse entrepreneur, on "Becoming a Holistic Nurse Entrepreneur" for nurses and healthcare professionals. The discussion explores Brisky's career transition from various traditional nursing roles, including TCU, LTAC, acute care, home care, and chronic care management, to establishing her own private nursing practice. Listeners will learn about the motivations, challenges, and successes of creating an independent, community-based nursing business. Brisky shares insights from her seven years of nursing experience, detailing the legal frameworks that enable private practice and strategies for building a sustainable client base. If you are a nurse feeling constrained by the current healthcare system and envision a path where you can provide more personalized, patient-centered care, this conversation is for you. Discover how to leverage your clinical expertise to create an independent practice that fills critical gaps in community health.What you will learn:This content empowers nurses to redefine their professional role, offering viable alternatives to conventional care pathways. Apply these insights to provide comprehensive support for patients managing multiple chronic conditions, navigating complex medical systems, or seeking holistic health guidance within their own homes and communities. Listen now to explore how an entrepreneurial mindset can transform your nursing career, allowing you to deliver meaningful, accessible care while fostering trust within your community. About Alexandra Brisky Alexandra Brisky, a registered nurse since 2017, shares her journey from diverse clinical roles to founding a community-based nursing service. Her experience underscores the power of patient-centered care and offers valuable insights into navigating state regulations for autonomous practice. FAQQ: What is a holistic nurse entrepreneur? A: A holistic nurse entrepreneur establishes their own private nursing business, focusing on patient-centered care and addressing gaps in conventional healthcare. They leverage clinical expertise to provide personalized, community-based services. Q: Who is Alexandra Brisky, RN? A: Alexandra Brisky, RN, is a registered nurse and independent practitioner who has been a nurse since 2017. She founded a community-based nursing service and emphasizes patient-centered care. Q: What will nurses learn about in this conversation? A: Nurses will learn how to leverage state licensure for independent practice, identify healthcare gaps, develop community-based nursing models, and navigate financial and insurance complexities. They will also gain insights into strategic networking. Q: How can independent nurses help patients? A: Independent nurses can function as vital care coordinators and patient advocates, offering direct access and tailored care plans. This is particularly beneficial for elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions or those needing home-based support to prevent hospital readmissions. Q: What challenges of nurse entrepreneurship are discussed?A: The conversation addresses managing fluctuating client loads, financial planning, prioritizing self-care to avoid burnout, and navigating professional insurance complexities, including malpractice and commercial auto insurance for independent practice.#nursingeducation #holisticnursing #integrativehealth